What u need to know about Mount Everest Base Camp
For tourists from both inside and outside of China, Everest Base Camp (5,200 m / 17,060 ft) or E.B.C is one of the hottest tourist spots in Tibet. It is an ideal place for tourists to go on trekking and explore the footsteps of the world's highest peak. If the weather allows you will have an amazing view of the snow-covered summit from E.B.C.
Standing 8,848 m (29,029 ft) above sea level, Mt. Everest also named Mount Qomolangma in Tibetan located at the border between China and Nepal and has been fascinating and challenging large numbers of mountaineers who annually try to conquer the world's highest peak. Everest Base Camp located on its north side provides easy access for these people to realize their ambitious goals.
Table of contents:
- How to travel to Everest Base Camp
- Hiking/Trekking to Everest Base Camp
- Accommodation and dining at Everest Base Camp
- Climate and weather of Everest Base Camp
- Best time to have a clear view of Mt. Everest
- What to pack for Everest Base Camp tour
- Current travel policy to Everest Base Camp
- How to avoid high-altitude sickness at Everest Base Camp
How to travel to Everest Base Camp
How to travel to Everest Base Camp
Thanks to the efforts of the government of Tibet Autonomous Region, a newly paved road was built in 1978 connecting China and Nepal commonly called the Sino-Nepalese Friendship Highway (i.e. 318 national highway). While traveling along this road you can visit many other attractions easily reach Everest Base Camp. The road is 3.5 meters wide and a little bumpy with more than 170 curves, bends and twists. In the past, if a driver was not careful enough, they may drive you into the surrounding vegetation area, but now guardrails have been built and the road is upgraded with a better condition.
Tourists often spend 2 days driving from Lhasa or Kathmandu to Mt. Everest Base Camp along China-Nepal Friendship Highway. Mt. Everest Base Camp is situated about 100KM southwards Shegar (New Tingri). The whole ride to Everest Base Camp from Shegar now takes about 2-3 hours instead of 4-5 hours in the past. Upon reaching the place about 20KM away from Mt. Everest Base Camp, all tourists are required to change the in-site eco-sightseeing bus to Rongbuk Monastery which costs 120 RMB per person round trip. Entrance ticket to E.B.C. are 180 RMB per person and unlike other attractions in Tibet there is a charge for the vehicle entry, of 400 RMB.
Hiking/trekking to Everest Base Camp
Hiking/trekking to Everest Base Camp
Everest Base Camp trek is the second popular trekking route in Tibet. And most of the time you will walk on a plateau over 4,300m (14,108 ft), you will even cross over one pass Nam-la 5300m (17,388 ft), so this is a really difficult high-elevation trekking route, but it also offers a splendid view of the north face of Everest and other snow mountain peaks around.
Generally, the trek starts from Old Tingri (4,250 m / 13,944 ft), ends at Mt. Everest Base Camp, and usually takes 2-3 days’ trekking. However, at present, the most part of the hiking trail is along the well-paved road, making this trek less attractive and adventurous compared to lots of other trekking routes in Tibet. The Everest Base Camp Trek tour can be done from April to late October, and the best time is from late April to early June and September to October due to the clear and stable weather and high visibility.
Accommodation and dining at Everest Base Camp
Accommodation and dining at Everest Base Camp
As a remote area with a rather limited condition, only local guest houses are available in the Mt. Everest Base Camp Region. They are extremely basic and their blankets are rarely washed, it’s highly recommended to bring your own sleeping bag or lining if you are cautious of the cleanness.
Tourists are able to dine at the kitchen/restaurant of local guesthouses and the local tea tents. They offer simple food such as fried rice, noodles, pancakes, and drinks (hot water, tea, and instant coffee), but you should be aware that the food and drink are at a higher cost compared to those in the large cities such as Lhasa, Shigatse.
Rongbuk Monastery guesthouse is located in front of the Rongbuk Monastery. It provides basic bedding for tourists including standard rooms, 4-6 pax dormitory rooms without private bathrooms, shower facilities, and WiFi. There is a small restaurant providing simple food.
From late April to mid-October, large tents will be set up near Rongbuk Monastery. They are only a few km away from the Everest Climber’s Camp. The tents in the camp are large, with ten beds along the walls and a stove in the middle to radiate heat at night. The toilets are located outside, it is advisable to bring your own flashlight or headlamp to find the way to it and back to your tent. Each tent has a kitchen inside offering simple but good and hot meals.
For those who want to stay at a lower altitude at night, the local guesthouses in Basum village should be a good choice. Basum village is located 40 kilometers north of Rongphu Monastery offering a slight view of Everest, but it is almost 700 meters lower in altitude. Those guesthouses have shared bathrooms without showering facilities. WiFi is usually available here. They also offer simple Tibetan food.
Climate and weather of Everest Base Camp
Climate and weather of Everest Base Camp
Generally, due to its high altitude, it enjoys cold weather with relatively lower temperatures all year round, a large temperature difference between day and night, unpredictable and changeable weather conditions. Besides, its seasonal change is small and the whole year can be mainly divided into the dry-windy season and monsoon season.
Spring in April and May is with an average temperature between -6℃~10℃ and most days of both months are clear and sunny. Summer of Mount Everest Base Camp in Tibet is from late June to August which is considered as the monsoon season with an average temperature 4℃~18℃, it's likely there will be rain showers, hazy skies, wet and muddy trail conditions from late June to August. Autumn in September and October are pleasant to travel to Mt. Everest Base Camp with an average temperature of 6℃~14℃ and lots of sunny and high visibility days. Winter from November to the next March enjoys cold, dry, and windy weather and with an average temperature of -22℃~-5℃.
Best time to have a clear view of Mt. Everest
Best time to have a clear view of Everest
For the travelers and photographers, the best months to visit Everest would be from April to June and September to November, with lots of sunny and clear days and very few rainfalls and snow. You’ll have the best chance to see the magnificent Mountain Everest’s true north face, due to the more stable weather and greater visibility.
What to pack for Everest Base Camp tour
What to pack for Everest Base Camp tour
Due to the high altitude and the big temperature gap between day and night of Mt. Everest Base Camp, it is highly recommended to bring winter clothes and dress in layers to keep you warm, especially at night, as there’s no heating system available. Dressing including sweater, down jacket, lightweight long underwear, short-sleeved shirts, waterproof breathable jacket & pants, scarf, gloves, and hat is highly recommended. If you are traveling there in Winter, the heavier winter gears are required.
The ultraviolet rays at Mount Everest Base Camp are very strong due to the high altitude, dry and thin air, and the reflection of the snow and water, so it is extremely necessary to bring lipsticks, hand lotion, moisturizing cream, sun cream, sun hat, and sunglasses to protect your skin and prevent yourself from the sunburn.
When you trek to Everest Base Camp, it is necessary to bring outdoor pants, light comfortable hiking shoes, waterproof MTB backpack, alpenstock, etc. No matter the pants or shoes should keep you warm and be waterproof.
Current travel policy to Mt. Everest Base Camp
Current travel policy to Everest Base Camp
To travel to Mt. Everest Base Camp in Tibet, independent travel is not allowed for overseas travelers. They are required to take a pre-organized tour with a licensed tour guide, a private tourist vehicle with a driver, and all necessary Tibet permits (Tibet Entry Permit and Alien’s Travel Permit) through a local travel agency. As a local travel agency with 14+ years experience to arrange Tibet trips for foreigners, We WindhorseTour definitely can make this trip happen to you and help you to obtain all the necessary Tibet permits by submitting the application about 2 weeks in advance.
How to avoid high-altitude sickness at Everest Base Camp
How to avoid high-altitude sickness at Everest Base Camp
First of all, you should plan a reasonable itinerary following the gradually ascending rule. It’s important to spend about 2-3 days’ relaxing tour in Lhasa before heading to Mt. Everest Base Camp. To avoid long-time driving to make you feel exhausted, the single-way driving from Lhasa is normally divided into at least 2 days, to spend the night in Gyantse, Shigatse, or even Shegar before reaching Mount Everest Base Camp, as the distance is about 620 KM.
Prior to departure, you should have a comprehensive physical examination check and do some preparation including doing some periodic aerobic adaptive exercises, taking some high altitude sickness medicine, keeping healthy, and avoiding catching cold and fever.
During the trip, you should always keep yourself warm and avoid colds. In addition, it’s better to drink enough water, eat some light and digestible food, and bring the medicines together with the oxygen inhalers. We WindhorseTour will equip the medicines and portable oxygen inhalers in the vehicle for our clients to use. Your local experienced Tibetan guide would love to help you with any problems with the high-altitude.